Tunnelling Association of Canada
Association canadienne des tunnels
Association canadienne des tunnels
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| Date | Location | Event | Contact |
| Apr 17, 2025 | Lone Star Texas Grill - 930 Dixon Rd, Toronto, Ontario | TAC Ontario Chapter Event: The role of mechanized shaft sinking with VSM in inner-city applications Title: The role of mechanized shaft sinking with VSM in inner-city applications Presenter: Stefan Frey Product Manager VSM – Shaft Sinking Business Unit Utility Tunnelling Herrenknecht AG Abstract: Space on the surface is becoming increasingly scarce and expensive. Safe and economic construction of underground infrastructure in steadily increasing depths requires mechanized tunnelling and shaft sinking solutions. Shafts are needed for tunnelling operations, sewer systems, storage or for ventilation and rescue purposes in traffic tunnels. The Vertical Shaft Sinking technology (VSM) is a mechanized approach developed to overcome challenging mixed ground conditions with high groundwater tables, and safety or economic limits of conventional methods. Since 2004, far more than 100 circular shafts have been sunk with VSM, in depths of up to 115 meters and an inner shaft diameter range from 4.5 to 12 meters. The VSM is remote-controlled from the surface, thus, it is a completely unmanned sinking procedure without personnel required in the shaft during the sinking process. It meets the key requirements for shaft construction in inner cities: no groundwater lowering, maximum production accuracy and safety, and flexible arrangement of jobsite equipment. Due to the electrified operation of the overall VSM equipment with the possibility to be powered by the local grid, the CO2 footprint and noise emissions can be considerably reduced compared to conventional construction methods. When using prefabricated concrete segments, shaft sinking with VSM requires up to 40% less concrete for the shaft structure. This presentation will introduce the VSM technology, with international project references in urban infrastructure projects. About Stefan Frey: Stefan Frey was born in 1977 in Freudenstadt, Germany. After his degree in Mechanical Engineering he started working for Herrenknecht AG in 2007 as a Project Manager in the Business Unit Utility Tunnelling, in charge of worldwide Shaft Sinking and Utility Tunnelling projects. In 2016 he has become the Product Manager for Vertical Shaft Sinking Equipment (VSM). His focus is on the further development of mechanized shaft sinking and the evaluation of its applicability in international underground projects. | Register HERE! |
| Jul 02, 2025 | Trolly 5 - 728 17th Avenue SW | TAC Alberta (Calgary) Chapter Pre-Stampede Mixer Save the date to join us for a TAC Pre-Stampede Mixer! Dust off your best western outfit, and get ready to have a great time with the TAC Calgary Chapter. Let’s kick off the festivities together! When: Wednesday, July 2, 2025 Where: Trolly 5 - 728 17th Avenue SW More details & registration to come! | TAC Calgary Chapter Details |
| Jul 22, 2025 | 125 Nobleton Lakes Dr, Nobleton, ON, L0G 1N0 | Save the Date: TAC Ontario Chapter 2025 Golf Tournament SAVE THE DATE for the 2025 TAC Ontario Golf Tournament! Details: - Tuesday, July 22, 2025 at 3 PM - 125 Nobleton Lakes Dr, Nobleton, ON, L0G 1N0 More details and registration to come soon - stay tuned! | Registration Coming Soon! |
| Nov 16-18, 2025 | Vancouver, B.C. | Save the Date: 2025 TAC Workshop We are excited to announce the first-ever TAC Workshop on Safety in the Canadian Tunnelling Industry, set to take place from November 15-18, 2025, in Vancouver, B.C.! The workshop will focus on the critical topic of Safety in tunnelling, bringing together industry experts to share insights on topics such as Statistics, Regulations, Legal, Ground Risk, Insurance, Design, Fire- Electrical, Training, and Owner/ Contractor Debates. If you are a member of our industry, then you need to be there! Stay tuned for more details to come. | Registration Coming Soon! |
| May 15-21, 2026 | Montréal, Québec, Canada | The WORLD TUNNEL CONGRESS 2026: Montréal Planning is underway for the WTC 2026! Get excited to join us in Montréal to meet high-profile leaders, decision-makers, and influencers from around the world. The Call for Abstracts will be launched in March 2025 followed by Registration in June 2025. In the meantime, be sure to join the conversation! We are excited to launch the www.wtc2026.ca website, distribution list as well as the World Tunnel Congress 2026 (WTC 2026) LinkedIn page! These platforms will keep you updated on all things related to the World Tunnel Congress in Montréal, including the theme "Connecting Communities through Underground Infrastructure / Connecter les communautés au moyen d'infrastructures souterraines." Stay tuned for the latest news, insights, and opportunities to engage with fellow tunnelling enthusiasts in 2026! Let’s connect and shape the future of our industry together! Exhibitor & Sponsorship opportunities are now available. Visit the event website for all the details! | https://wtc2026... |
